Wydad AC represent the first stage of the unknown for Manchester City | OneFootball

The expanded FIFA Club World Cup is an unknown entity at this stage. 32 clubs from across the globe will battle it out to wear the badge of world champions for the next four years. Manchester City hopes to become the inaugural winners of FIFA’s newest showpiece competition. Pep Guardiola’s side takes on Wydad AC on Wednesday in their opening Group G fixture. The tournament itself and how it will play out are unknown. Manchester City’s first step into the unknown will come against Moroccan powerhouse Wydad AC. Here is a look at who Manchester City will face at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Wydad AC had a disappointing 24/25 season but they will look to get at Pep Guardiola’s side in a familiar fashion.

Manchester City’s opening opponents in the Club World Cup had a disappointing 24/25 season. Wydad AC finished third in Morocco’s Botola Pro 1. They finished 16 points behind the champions, RS Berkane, in the league table. Wydad AC also went out in the CAF Champions League in the group stage. For a club of Wydad AC’s standing that is a disappointing campaign. But they will be eager to put a disappointing season behind them and make an impact at the Club World Cup. They’ll also be hoping to pick up a result against Manchester City. Wydad AC do look to be a team that could aim to hit Manchester City in a familiar fashion at Lincoln Financial Field.

Under manager Mohamed Amine Benhachem, Wydad typically play a possession-based game when playing in their local league. But given the apparent gulf in quality between Manchester City and Wydad, the Moroccan side will likely sit deep and look to hit Pep Guardiola’s side on the counter with their pace. It is expected that they will line up in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. That is how they lined up during the majority of their matches last season.

Across their squad, they do possess the quality to get at Pep Guardiola’s side on the break. The majority of the Wydad AC are quick, technically gifted and tactically intelligent players. Those are typical traits of Moroccan players. When looking at which player could pose the biggest threat to Pep Guardiola’s side, one player stands out for Wydad AC.

Mohamed Rayhi was Wydad AC’s top scorer last season. Rayhl scored 11 goals in 26 Botola Pro 1 matches. Mohamed Rayhi typically plays on the left wing and is blessed with an eye for goal, pace and tremendous technical ability. Given the threat that Rayhi poses in the final third, Manchester City must be at their best on Wednesday.

Summary.

Wydad AC will be Manchester City’s first opponent in Group G of the FIFA Club World Cup. They do represent an unknown opponent for Pep Guardiola’s side in a tournament that is largely an unknown entity at this stage. But Manchester City will be eager to pick up three points to begin their Club World Cup campaign. The Moroccan powerhouse that is Wydad AC will be eager to do the same so a tricky opening fixture in Group G does await Manchester City.